A kitten spotted in the cold, hiding under a deck, began to change when he was given a chance to become a house cat.

Whiskers-a-GoGo

Leanne, a dedicated volunteer with Whiskers-a-GoGo, was on a rescue mission to help a colony of cats living in a neighbor’s backyard.

With freezing temperatures setting in, a black-and-white kitten had taken shelter under the deck with his two siblings. Leanne and her team set humane traps near a small opening in the fence, using food to coax the kittens to safety.

“Finally, they found their courage (and hunger) and ventured into the yard with the traps,” Leanne told Love Meow.

Whiskers-a-GoGo

The kittens were terrified, hissing and growling as they tried to protect themselves the only way they knew how. On the drive to the spay/neuter clinic, their hisses faded, replaced by tiny, tentative meows. Leanne knew immediately that these kittens had potential and deserved a chance.

The little one with cow-like markings was especially displeased, unaware that everything was about to change for the better.

Whiskers-a-GoGo

When Delilah, a foster volunteer, met the kitten, she was instantly smitten. “He is so rotund and cute and looks like a Beanie Baby. I decided to give him the most ridiculous, reactionary name ever: Gosh Darnit,” Delilah told Love Meow.

To begin socializing him, Delilah gently wrapped him in a towel and held him close. His eyes darted nervously, his heart pounding out of his chest, but soon, his defenses began to soften.

Whiskers-a-GoGo

Working through the initial squirming and hissing turned out to be much easier than expected. “I would put him in a burrito and sing to him very cheesy 1980s rock songs. I think singing helped him relax and get more acquainted with humans.”

A steady stream of kisses, cuddles, and treats did the trick. Within a few days, he was completely won over.

Whiskers-a-GoGo

Once he realized he was safe and that his foster mom was kind, his true personality began to shine. He explored his surroundings, claiming everything he touched. Curious, he wanted to be part of whatever was happening.

“Nothing seems to faze him now, and I can’t even remember him being scared or grouchy when I think of him.”

Whiskers-a-GoGo

While the kittens continued to thrive in foster care, the adult cats were spayed or neutered and returned to the backyard they had called home. They now have access to a heated shelter and a dedicated caretaker who ensures they are fed and safe.

No longer the hissy little jalapeno he once was, Gosh Darnit transformed into a tiny supervisor. He perched on the piano keys, as if offering himself as a muse or insisting on being involved in the creative process.

Whiskers-a-GoGo

As his confidence grew, so did his voice. Even as a small kitten, he was chatty and loud, announcing his presence wherever he went. “I never had trouble finding him because he loves making his presence known.”

“He’s a perfect cat. His only ‘flaw’ is his love of playing ‘broken neck’ when he sleeps.”

Whiskers-a-GoGo

When it came time for adoption, Gosh Darnit didn’t have to wait long to find his perfect match. “We had more than a dozen applications for this little grouch,” Leanne shared.

“He’s doing really well in his new home and gets along beautifully with his new sibling.”

Whiskers-a-GoGo

Thanks to the tireless efforts of the volunteers, the kittens were given a second chance at life. They will never again face the cold or spend another day outdoors. Their future is bright, filled with warmth, comfort, and love.

The moment Gosh Darnit spotted a big, soft blanket in his new home, he hopped onto the bed and claimed it as his own.

Whiskers-a-GoGo

Share this story with your friends. More cats and kittens at Whiskers-a-GoGo on Instagram @whiskers_agogo and Facebook.

Related story: They Bring in a Litter of Kittens and Notice One is Extra Small, Turns Out the Tiny Cat Needs Special Help

Multiple police forces in Quebec and New Brunswick are conducting a series of raids Wednesday targeting a criminal organization with links to the Hells Angels, according to the Sûreté du Québec.

The Quebec provincial police force said in a release that more than 160 officers have been working since early in the morning in municipalities in both provinces.

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“The ongoing investigation demonstrates that the organization in question is active in cocaine distribution and territory management for the benefit of the Hells Angels of the various chapters in Quebec,” the release added.

“The results of this operation will follow in the coming days.”

The operation is a collaboration between Escouade régionale mixte (ERM) Rive-Nord — a specialized Quebec police unit that targets organized crime — and the National Organized Crime Enforcement Squad (ENRCO), along with RCMP and local municipal forces.

Shakur Stevenson has reacted to the news that he has been stripped of his WBC Lightweight World title.

The 28-year-old pound-for-pound star moved up to super-lightweight this past weekend to relieve Teofimo Lopez of his WBO belt, putting in a truly exceptional performance to win almost every round on the scorecards.

Moving back down to lightweight is an option for the now four-division world champion, but if he does so, he will not be a champion there. In a statement released today, the WBC announced that the title Stevenson won back in November of 2023 has now been declared vacant.

“In light of Champion Stevenson now being the reigning WBO Super Lightweight World Champion and consistent with the WBC Rules & Regulations, the WBC has declared vacant its Lightweight World title.

“The WBC wishes Champion Stevenson continued success in all his future endeavors, both inside and outside the ring.

“The WBC will provide further information regarding the process to crown a new Lightweight World Champion in the near future.”

Despite the well wishes, Stevenson did not take the decision kindly. Responding on social media shortly after the announcement, he said:

“And I just paid these dudes after my last fight… What the hell [am I] giving y’all 100k right now for? Because y’all got beef with Bud so come at me for it.”

“100k to some crooks who don’t deserve it? Nah Leilani I rather give it to you baby girl… The WBC didn’t even have s–t to do with this fight and it’s eating them alive. Take your belt it don’t make me.”

Stevenson refers to the WBC’s recent run-in with Terence Crawford – a close friend, mentor and training partner – who was stripped of his own green and gold super-middleweight belt for, according to the sanctioning body, not paying the relevant fees. Crawford, who had won the title alongside the three other major straps by beating Canelo Alvarez, retired shortly after, but not before delivering a scathing rant on the WBC.

Stevenson’s next move remains up in the air, though pushing for another title with the World Boxing Council may be out of the question.

Today, weather-wise, has been unspeakable – sleet, a freezing gale force wind, and we are all very miserable and bored of this.  Apparently Shetland has been stuck in a bad weather system for a while now.

So, Daisy and I decided to get everyone inside for a rest from this.  A Duvet Day, if you will.

No one needed asking twice.  The Shetland ponies were straight in and with no mucking around either about which stall to go in.  Oh, no. In they went and waited quietly while Daisy took Tiddles’ rug off.

Silver was a white/grey pony before he rolled.

But the ponies are happy and eating unlimited hay to their hearts’ content.

Then it was the turn of the old folk.  Straight in, no questions asked and, again, waiting patiently while I undid all their rugs without rolling first, which grosses me out (I have a thing about wet sand).

It is the first time anyone has had their rug off for many weeks and it was good to see a) how well they looked and b) how perfectly dry they all were.

And lastly, the old ladies trotted enthusaistically in, once Daisy had been to catch them because they were determined to wait by their bowls rather than follow the others like they should’ve.

Again, nice and dry and also looking rather good for the time of year. I am pleased.

The sheep are also having a Duvet Day.

They don’t believe in going outside and quite honestly, I don’t blame them.

Daisy and I went back to the big shed after lunch to find everyone was just fine (and had poo’ed a lot).  Seeing Waffle having a snooze was exactly what I wanted.  It is important that everyone has a rest from the weather and relaxes for 24 hours.

I am intending to throw them all out tomorrow as it should’ve thawed considerably by then and normal service can then resume.

The government of the Northwest Territories said some water fixtures at Paul William Kaeser High School and Joseph Burr Tyrrell Elementary School were affected.

Water fixtures with elevated lead levels now out of service

Carson Asmundson · CBC News · Posted: Feb 04, 2026 8:17 PM EST | Last Updated: 4 hours ago

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The government of the Northwest Territories says it has received water testing results from two Fort Smith schools and found elevated lead levels in some water fixtures.

In a news release Wednesday afternoon, the N.W.T. government said some fixtures at Paul William Kaeser High School and Joseph Burr Tyrrell Elementary School were affected.

The results are part of the government’s promise to test drinking water in every school in the territory.

Those fixtures found to have elevated lead levels are now out of service, with an alternative water source to be provided.

The government confirmed it will be taking remediation measures and complete follow-up testing at the schools.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carson is the social media editor for CBC North. He joined CBC in 2023.

An Alberta junior hockey team is set to take the ice this weekend for a memorial game honouring three of its players who died in a highway crash.

The Southern Alberta Mustangs are set to take on the Stavely Spurs Alumni team Sunday night at the arena in Stavely.

It’s one of several fundraisers started since the crash Monday in the small town south of Calgary.

JJ Wright and Cameron Casorso, both 18, from Kamloops, B.C., and Caden Fine, 17, from Alabama, were heading to a Mustangs practice and crossing a highway when their car collided with a semi truck hauling gravel.

WATCH | Towns of Stavely, Nanton mourn loss of 3 teen hockey players:

An ‘immense loss’: communities mourn 3 teens killed on Alberta highway

The small towns of Stavely and Nanton are mourning the teens’ deaths, while the RCMP say it’s unlikely the driver of the semi involved in the crash will face charges.

The team plays in the U.S. Premier Hockey League’s Premier Division.

“We’re really hoping to maximize that amount of money that we can get to Caden’s family to help relieve any financial burden that they may be facing right now,” said Savannah Rumsey, general manager of the University of Alabama’s men’s ice hockey team.

Nicknamed the Alabama Frozen Tide, the team is auctioning off nearly two dozen specialty jerseys for the Fine family. A portion of ticket sales from its game on Saturday is also going to the family.

The Cremona Coyotes senior hockey team in Alberta, where Wright played a pre-season game last fall, said ticket sales from its next home game will be donated to the families of the Mustangs who died.

By Wednesday afternoon, donations to a GoFundMe page for the three families had nearly reached its $50,000 goal.

“From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with us,” the Mustangs said in a Facebook post Wednesday after getting video messages from members of Edmonton Oilers.

“The Oilers took time to send personal messages to our team, reminding our players, families, staff and community that the hockey world stands together — especially in moments like these,” said the post.

“Their words mean more than we can ever fully express, and we are beyond grateful for their compassion and support.”

January 31, 2026

This baby goat must have suffered a head injury but we have no idea how.

She was found in the road, unable to stand, and neighbors lifted her to a safe spot on their verandah. Sometimes shepherds will leave an injured kid to die rather than to seek treatment. This must have been the sad case with Marshmallow. Luckily, the villagers knew about Animal Aid, and called us to rescue her.

She had no visible wounds, but she couldn’t lift her head at first. We treated Marshmallow for pain, hydrated her with an IV drip, and lay her down in a cozy secure little spot knowing that rest was essential. Within hours, her appetite roared (as goats love to nibble almost constantly.) Up she sat and began to munch on grass. Meet Marshmallow now, an authentic living angel. To meet Snow is simply to fall in love.

Ontario Provincial Police have charged a 16-year-old from Norfolk County with second-degree murder in the death of an infant last fall at a home in Port Rowan.

Police said officers responded to a home on Front Road in the lakeside community around 1:50 p.m. on Nov. 4, 2025 for a sudden death investigation.

At the time, officials said police had located one person dead at the residence. On Wednesday, it was revealed the deceased was an infant.

The 16-year-old accused, whose identity can’t be released under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was arrested on Jan. 28 and will appear in Simcoe court “at a later date,” police said.

Provincial police say their investigation is continuing in collaboration of the Office of the Chief Coroner and the Ontario Forensic Pathology Service.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police or Crime Stoppers.